In an exclusive statement, [House Speaker John] Boehner told The Catholic Telegraph that the papal visit carries special significance to him.

“Anytime you have a pope come to the United States, it’s humbling, but welcoming a Jesuit pope makes it all that much more meaningful to me,” Boehner said. “His teachings, prayers, and very example bring us back to the blessings of simple things and our obligations to one another — those are the values I learned growing up going to Mass every day and from going to Xavier.”

That Ohioans, Catholic school students and teachers, and visitors to the U.S. Capitol will have the opportunity to participate in Pope Francis’ “historic visit” is “very special,” he added.